site.btaBurning Stubble in Giurgiu Causes Cross-Border Air Pollution in Ruse

Ruse Regional Governor Danail Kovachev received many alerts from local people about smoke, soot and a foul smell in the air in the regional capital, the Governor's Office reported on Sunday.

Assisted by Euroregion Danubius Association Executive Director Lili Gancheva, Kovachev talked with emergency response officials in Giurgiu, Romania, which is across the Danube River from Ruse. It transpired that the smoke and the smell were caused by burning stubble in Malu, Giurgiu County and were carried over to Ruse by strong wind.

The Romanian authorities sent two special purpose vehicles and emergency response crews to bring the situation under control. By the late afternoon on Sunday, the fire was almost extinguished.

Kovachev called for more stringent measures to stop the damaging practice of burning stubble as it often causes cross-border air pollution.